NH7 Weekender 2017, Meghalaya : 2nd Day Report :: 28 October 2017

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Steve Vai at NH7 Weekender on 28 October 2017 : Photo by Marvelin Deka

BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender, Meghalaya 2017 sold out
Over 25,000 fans witness top-notch performances by Steve Vai, Amit Trivedi, Textures, Indian Ocean and more over festival days.

One of the most anticipated live music experiences in India, BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender received a spirited response at its third edition in Meghalaya. The festival sold out on day two, drawing in over 25,000 fans at 'Wenfield' - The Festive Hills, Lad Mukhla, Jaintia Hills, where it took place for the very first time.

The festival’s headlining acts included American guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, who played his first ever show in India, and was given a rousing reception by guitar and rock-crazy fans who had made their way for this special performance. Dutch metal band, Textures, performed at the festival as part of their ‘Last Miles to the Moon’ farewell tour. The iconic metal group will now be making its way to perform at BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender Express in Bengaluru on October 29.

The North East is well known for its love of the six-string, and festival fans were not disappointed. Celebrated guitarist and local hero, Rudy Wallang brought a special set to the festival, The Rudy Wallang Guitar Jamboree, collaborating with multiple guitarists from across the North-East. The artist often recognised as the Indian Guitar God, Warren Mendonsa of Blackstratblues also performed with guest artists, for a curated Blackstratblues All Stars set.

This was also the first time performance for Bollywood music composer Amit Trivedi in Meghalaya. His high-energy performance at the festival included some of his biggest hits such as Nayan Tarse (Dev D), Manja (Kai Po Che), Zinda (Lootera), Dilli Dilli (No One Killed Jessica), Iktara (Wake Up Sid!) alongside music from newer releases such asUdta Punjab&Queen. BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender, Meghalaya also saw festival performances by some of the most loved artists in the country including fusion icons Indian Ocean, world music group Karsh Kale Collective, hiphop artist Divine, progressive metal outfit, Skyharbor and multi-genre Kerala band Thaikkudam Bridge.

Steve Vai at NH7 Weekender on 28 October 2017 : Photo by Madhurjya Saikia

Several artists from around the North-East also received an enthusiastic reception. The Andrea Tariang Band , Dewdrops, Triau Trackx, Sarahlee, Khasi Bloodz (all from Meghalaya), Polar Lights, Tali Angh (Nagaland), Avora Records (Mizoram) and Lateral (Assam) played across the festival’s four stages.

“Every year, fans from the North-East justify our decision to set up a festival in Meghalaya.” said Vijay Nair, CEO and founder of OML Entertainment, who organizes the festival. “If the 2015 edition was an experiment and the 2016 edition was the confirmation that things could be here to stay, this year’s edition will be remembered as the year where the Meghalaya edition will be cemented into our calendar. We’ve tried to take things up a notch this year – with the artist lineup, the spectacular new venue, and more. And we were rewarded with some of the most passionate fans in the country. While this year’s edition was successful, we are already starting to think about how we can make 2018 special for fans.”

After the day’s music at the festival stages wrapped up, Bengaluru Urdu rock outfit Parvaaz and Faridkot put up special after-hours acoustic sets at Camp Tinder at the festival. Fans spent their time digging into delicious food options and checking out merchandise and art at the festival’s vibrant Bazaar.

A digital guide that includes details, the performance schedule and instructions for festival fans can be downloaded and viewed here.

The festival now travels to the city where it all started - Pune (Dec 08-10), where Steve Vai, Textures, Indian Ocean, Blackstratblues All Stars and The Local Train will also play. There will also be highly anticipated sets by American dreampop band Cigarettes After Sex, American metal act The Dillinger Escape Plan (who, like Textures, are also playing on their farewell tour), punk legend Marky Ramone, Bollywood composers Vishal Bhardwaj (who will be playing his first ever live show) and Ram Sampath, Indian classical musician TM Krishna, folk-rock veterans The Raghu Dixit Project, and more.

Tickets for the Pune editionare available online at https://insider.in/nh7-weekender, from INR 2250 onwards.